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The Green Bay Packers did not exercise the fifth-year option on inside linebacker Quay Walker, but it doesn’t mean they intend to let him walk in free agency after this season.
A source said that Walker’s fifth-year option was not picked up in time for the May 1 deadline, unlike his teammate and fellow 2022 first-round pick Devonte Wyatt.
General manager Brian Gutekunst said prior to the draft that the Packers intend to keep both former Georgia teammates, either by exercising their fifth-year option or signing them to a long-term contract extension.
In Wyatt’s case, his fifth-year option came out to $13.9 million based on a formula that pays the player an average of between the third- and 25th-highest-paid players at their positions. Wyatt did not receive an escalator because he did not meet a playing time minimum or make a Pro Bowl.
For a defensive lineman, $13.9 million is not an extraordinary amount, so the Packers exercised the option. Wyatt is now guaranteed both the $13.9 million option in 2026 and his 2025 base salary of $2,458,798.
The reason the Packers did not exercise Walker’s option was that his fifth-year option figure was much higher than it would be for an average middle linebacker because the league bunches inside linebackers with edge rushers when calculating the option number. Edge rushers are among the highest-paid players in football.
Thus, Walker’s number was $14.7 million. It was boosted by the fact he reached a playing time escalator.
The highest-paid inside linebackers in the NFL, Baltimore’s Roquan Smith and San Francisco’s Fred Warner, make $20 million and $19 million a year, respectively. Walker would be below that level but still close to 2025 first-team All-Pro Zack Baun of the Philadelphia Eagles ($17 million).
Due to the two positions being considered together, Walker would be around the sixth- or seventh-highest-paid inside linebacker if he made $14.7 million, even though the average of the third- and 25th-highest-paid inside linebackers is much lower. So, the Packers will attempt to sign him to a deal that will reward him for committing long term to the club and provide a manageable cap number for the Packers.
The Packers will have until March 2026 to reach an agreement with Walker before they risk losing him in free agency. Walker can sign a deal before this season or reject an offer and roll the dice that he doesn’t get hurt and has a big year before hitting free agency. He also has the option of signing at any time during the season.
Walker would have been guaranteed all $14.7 million next year and his $2,592,497 base salary this year if the Packers had executed the fifth-year option.
First-round picks are the only players with fifth-year options. If teams don't exercise the option, the player becomes a free agent after four seasons. Players drafted in the second through seventh rounds sign four-year contracts.
In his three seasons, Walker has started 43 of the 44 games he’s played and compiled 341 tackles, 6½ sacks and three forced fumbles. Walker has had his ups and downs since starting as a rookie and missed four games last season due to injury.
The Packers view him as an integral part of their defense and are counting on him taking a big step in his fourth year. Together with promising rookie Edgerrin Cooper, the Packers may have their most athletic combo of inside linebackers in several decades.
This article originally appeared on Packers News: Packers don't exercise linebacker Quay Walker's fifth-year option
Continue reading...
A source said that Walker’s fifth-year option was not picked up in time for the May 1 deadline, unlike his teammate and fellow 2022 first-round pick Devonte Wyatt.
General manager Brian Gutekunst said prior to the draft that the Packers intend to keep both former Georgia teammates, either by exercising their fifth-year option or signing them to a long-term contract extension.
In Wyatt’s case, his fifth-year option came out to $13.9 million based on a formula that pays the player an average of between the third- and 25th-highest-paid players at their positions. Wyatt did not receive an escalator because he did not meet a playing time minimum or make a Pro Bowl.
For a defensive lineman, $13.9 million is not an extraordinary amount, so the Packers exercised the option. Wyatt is now guaranteed both the $13.9 million option in 2026 and his 2025 base salary of $2,458,798.
The reason the Packers did not exercise Walker’s option was that his fifth-year option figure was much higher than it would be for an average middle linebacker because the league bunches inside linebackers with edge rushers when calculating the option number. Edge rushers are among the highest-paid players in football.
Thus, Walker’s number was $14.7 million. It was boosted by the fact he reached a playing time escalator.
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The highest-paid inside linebackers in the NFL, Baltimore’s Roquan Smith and San Francisco’s Fred Warner, make $20 million and $19 million a year, respectively. Walker would be below that level but still close to 2025 first-team All-Pro Zack Baun of the Philadelphia Eagles ($17 million).
Due to the two positions being considered together, Walker would be around the sixth- or seventh-highest-paid inside linebacker if he made $14.7 million, even though the average of the third- and 25th-highest-paid inside linebackers is much lower. So, the Packers will attempt to sign him to a deal that will reward him for committing long term to the club and provide a manageable cap number for the Packers.
The Packers will have until March 2026 to reach an agreement with Walker before they risk losing him in free agency. Walker can sign a deal before this season or reject an offer and roll the dice that he doesn’t get hurt and has a big year before hitting free agency. He also has the option of signing at any time during the season.
Walker would have been guaranteed all $14.7 million next year and his $2,592,497 base salary this year if the Packers had executed the fifth-year option.
First-round picks are the only players with fifth-year options. If teams don't exercise the option, the player becomes a free agent after four seasons. Players drafted in the second through seventh rounds sign four-year contracts.
In his three seasons, Walker has started 43 of the 44 games he’s played and compiled 341 tackles, 6½ sacks and three forced fumbles. Walker has had his ups and downs since starting as a rookie and missed four games last season due to injury.
The Packers view him as an integral part of their defense and are counting on him taking a big step in his fourth year. Together with promising rookie Edgerrin Cooper, the Packers may have their most athletic combo of inside linebackers in several decades.
This article originally appeared on Packers News: Packers don't exercise linebacker Quay Walker's fifth-year option
Continue reading...
